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Manchester United put on a lackluster and disjointed performance on a night filled with emotion and sorrow that is likely to be swiftly forgotten by the audience.
With vigor, United faced Real Sociedad in their opening Europa League group stage matchup at Old Trafford.
Following their fourth straight victory over Arsenal on Sunday, Sociedad was their next objective.
United froze when they had the chance to build on their momentum, maybe hindered by the news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had passed away just 90 minutes before start.
United froze when they had the chance to build on their momentum, maybe hindered by the news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had passed away just 90 minutes before start. Brais Mendez’s controversial penalty, which was awarded just before the hour mark, was enough to for United to lose for the first time in five games and suffer a rare home Europa League defeat.
The performance was subpar even though United had every right to object to the penalty because the officials chose to ignore the fact that the ball had hit replacement Lisandro Martinez’s torso before falling on his hand.
United had put an end to Arsenal’s undefeated start to the season four days earlier.
The move was always risky, but Erik ten Hag made six substitutions in an effort to mix things up and give playing time to players who had struggled in previous contests.
No one of the six newcomers performed well enough to make their impression, upsetting United’s recent rhythm.
Casemiro proved why Scott McTominay has started the last three league games while Cristiano Ronaldo’s only notable contribution was heading in a Diogo Dalot cross that was promptly flagged offside. Casemiro was given his first start since joining Manchester United from Real Madrid last month.
The man who most people thought would get a break, however, continued to dazzle, while others who did get a chance to impress stumbled.
Christian Eriksen excelled in midfield, just like he did against Arsenal. Fred was unexpectedly started in the more advanced role by Ten Hag, allowing Eriksen to keep excelling in his free-roaming No. 8 position.
Eriksen once more showed why Ten Hag was so anxious to add him to his team as Fred struggled and tried to adjust to his new role.
He was replaced at halftime, which hurt United’s chances.
He was replaced at halftime, which hurt United’s chances. The majority of their innovations during the first 45 minutes were designed by him, so when he was changed out, seemingly in accordance with a prearranged plan, they really missed him.
Ten Hag’s choice to keep him in a more subdued role suggests that he wants him to seize the No. 8 position as his own given that United signed him to contend with Fernandes for the attacking-midfield position.
The decision to use Fred as an advanced midfielder was partly unsuccessful, but Eriksen’s obstinacy in refusing to alter positions was telling.
The ball-playing midfielder that Ten Hag thought Frenkie de Jong to be is the Danish international. The former Brentford player’s ball-control and play-directing skills have been instrumental in everything United has accomplished in their last two games.
He clearly established himself as one of Ten Hag’s top choices after outperforming his midfield teammates against Sociedad. Without Eriksen as their leader, United came off as very lost in the second half.
They lost the dominance they had in the first half as their opportunities vanished. Therefore, it is clear that United has the ability to adapt Ten Hag’s ideology and vision to emphasize Eriksen’s merit.
Despite spending millions on players like Martinez, Casemiro, and Antony over the summer, United’s biggest purchase to far has turned out to be the free-agent signing of Eriksen.
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